COVID-19 RESPONSE: DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT

Starting the next school year with diagnostic assessments is a straightforward way to gain critical data after unprecedented disruptions to instruction, a solution recently endorsed by the Florida Association of District School Superintendents in a new set of re-opening recommendations, as well as by the Maryland State Superintendent and the Louisiana Department of Education.

Early Signs of States’ CARES Act Education Spending Priorities

As congress continues discussions on the next round of COVID funding, it’s still largely unclear how states are planning to spend the $16.2 billion in the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) and Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) funds under the CARES Act. States have been eligible to apply for the Governor’s fund since April 14th and the application for the larger pot of state funds opened on April 23rd. States have until June 1 and July 1, respectively, to apply for each set of funds.

Leaders of Color Launches NY Chapter

Dr. Damary Bonilla-Rodriguez Joins as Director

Education Reform Now (ERN) announced today the launch of its Leaders of Color New York Chapter, with an inaugural cohort of 12 aspiring political and education leaders, representing the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Long Island, and Harlem.

Online Students Deserve a Real Education

Millions of college students are getting their first taste of online postsecondary education this spring. It’s telling there have been no loud cries to keep the ad-hoc approach going next semester and beyond. But that remains a possibility as colleges look to cut costs, so let's make sure that at the very least going forward those supplying exclusively online instruction are providing students with what amounts to a real education as opposed to little more than a slide show.

Speeding Ahead: COVID-19 School Closures and Distance Learning

UPDATED: As advocates interested in preventing the exacerbation of achievement gaps in this time of crisis, we believe it is important to evaluate what states are doing and how quickly they have been able to mobilize in the face of unprecedented interruptions in classroom learning. Read our new analyses of how all 50 states and Washington, D.C. are speeding toward distance learning.

Education Reform Now’s (ERN’s) mission is to pursue education policies that enable all students, particularly students from low-income families and students of color, to obtain a globally competitive education that empowers them to fulfill their limitless potential. To do that, we are building a durable network of progressive champions, allies, and supporters across the advocacy and policymaking arenas to expand what works and change what is broken in the public education system, with the interests of students and families at the center of everything we do.

It’s not education reform soon, it’s Education Reform Now

At a recent ERN benefit event, guest speaker Wes Moore highlights why reform is essential to ensuring all kids have an opportunity to succeed - and why we can't wait.

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Additional days of math gained by students in urban public charter schools